All the onlookers questioned by the Daily Echo were passionately supportive of the protest.

The council has said the building is not financially viable. Security costs £1,800 a month and £42,000 is needed this year to deal with vandalism and break-ins.

The protesters suspected artists' and charities' rental fees to use the community arts centre were too small to suit the council, and that the site would eventually be sold to a developer to build
flats.

They believe the centre can be used by local charities like Vita Nova, which works with substance abusers, or Clubhouse, which works with people with mental health problems.

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts, a Boscombe West councillor, pointed out that an arts consultant recently recommended Bournemouth should rent out its empty council buildings to fledgling artistic
businesses, in order to start regenerating parts of the town.